Borussia Dortmund booked their place in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after a dull 0-0 draw with Sporting CP at the Westfalenstadion. Despite the lack of excitement, the result was sufficient for Dortmund to advance, setting up a clash with either Aston Villa or LOSC Lille in the next round.
A Match Short on Action
Sporting, already facing an uphill battle to qualify, were further hampered by the absence of their injured star striker, Viktor Gyokeres. Dortmund, meanwhile, approached the game with caution, having established a strong position in the first leg. The cautious tactics from both teams resulted in a slow and uneventful first half.
The first real chance came nearly 30 minutes into the game when Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer forced a save from Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva. Pascal Gross, who scored his first goal for Dortmund in the first leg, came close to adding another but just missed connecting with Karim Adeyemi’s well-placed cross.
Serhou Guirassy also had an opportunity before halftime, but Silva’s sharp reflexes kept the scoreline level. Sporting, on the other hand, failed to register a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, highlighting their struggles to pose a threat.
Silva Stands Tall for Sporting
The second half saw Silva continue to shine for Sporting. The on-loan Real Betis goalkeeper made a series of impressive saves, including a stunning stop to deny Adeyemi and a brilliant penalty save from Guirassy after fouling Adeyemi in the box.
Despite Silva’s heroics, Sporting rarely troubled Dortmund’s defense. A long-range effort from substitute Alexandre Brito forced Gregor Kobel into action, but it was a rare moment of concern for the hosts.
Dortmund’s Missed Chances
Dortmund had opportunities to secure a win, with substitute Giovanni Reyna hitting the post after a clever pass from Maximilian Beier. Emre Can thought he had scored the decisive goal with a header from Julian Ryerson’s free-kick, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
The match ended in a stalemate, leaving Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac still searching for his first win at the Westfalenstadion since taking charge. However, the draw was enough to ensure his team’s progression to the knockout stages.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Rui Silva (Sporting)
Rui Silva was the standout performer of the match, making several crucial saves to keep Sporting in contention. His penalty stop and overall composure under pressure earned him the Man of the Match award, even as his team exited the competition.
Looking Ahead
Dortmund will now focus on the last 16, where they will face either Aston Villa or LOSC Lille. While their performance against Sporting was far from convincing, they will take confidence from their progression and aim to build momentum as the tournament continues.
Source: Flashscore, Opta by StatsPerform, and match reports.
